[Suz in AZ]

Other improvements include walking with assistance and speech—“She can repeat anything we say to her, which is an important neurological recovery fact,” said Dr. Dong Kim, director of the hospital’s neuroscience department. “She’s already speaking full sentences when she wants something, like ‘I’m tired and want to go to bed.’”

Glad to know she is recovering but April 8th will mark 3 months not in Congress. I'm wondering if Gov. Brewer will declare the seat vacant and call a special election at that time. She can't continue to serve in this shape and we need a rep.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I’m getting a little aggravated at the “media” for making the Shuttle Endeavor launch all about “Gaby”. It’s really starting to **** me off! I don’t care if she’s going to be there or not! It’s a shuttle launch. It shouldn’t be all about “Gaby”.

[woweeitsme]

Glad to hear about her recovery. It’s probably best that she DOESN’T remember the shooting.

[fieldmarshaldj]

A Governor can’t declare a seat vacant, only the U.S. House can do that. She really should resign and focus on regaining her health. When she recovers, she can always run for the seat at a future date.

[reagan_fanatic]

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, R-Ariz

I thought she was a democrat?

[swain_forkbeard]

You know it’s a really serious injury when...

“...doctors don’t expect to reattach Giffords’ skull until May...”

[Blood of Tyrants]

already speaking in full sentences

That is better than most of the gutter trash that invaded the Wisconsin capitol last week.

[yoe]

It is all about Gabrielle Giffords.... she is a Democrat. Judge Roll was a Republican....Obama would have called out the National Guard had Roll been a Democrat. Unfortunately, Giffords is now a warm body with two eye balls who can vote...that's all the Dems want...

[yoe]

It is all about Gabrielle Giffords.... she is a Democrat. Judge Roll was a Republican....Obama would have called out the National Guard had Roll been a Democrat. Unfortunately, Giffords is now a warm body with two eye balls who can vote...that's all the Dems want...

[furquhart]

There’s pretty strong precedent for injured/ill members of Congress retaining their seats.

In addition to Tim Johnson a few years ago, I can recall as far back as Charles Sumner:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sumner#Antebellum_career_and_attack_by_Preston_Brooks

Who stayed away from the Senate for three years after he was severely injured. Others that come to the top of my head would include Joe Biden in 1988.

It would be really bad form - and bad PR - to attempt anything of the sort.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Kennedy and Byrd were both absent far more than they were present the last year or so of their lives. There ought to be an amendment allowing for the removal of a gravely ill (or injured) representative or senator should they be unable to perform their duties on a daily basis for an extended period of time.

And while we are at it, make it unconstitutional for a sitting representative or senator to seek election of any seat other than they one they are currently holding. I am sick of sitting senators and representatives being paid to run for office while they ignore the people they were elected to represent.

[Graybeard58]

Say hello to the next new Senator from Arizona.

[Guenevere]

Reattach her skull?????

I missed knowing about this...

...would someone please enlighten me....why is her skull not attached?

[montag813]

She can't continue to serve in this shape and we need a rep.

Are you kidding??? Don't you remember Tim Johnson? And Frank lautenberg is essentially a walking vegetable since his skiing accident and subsequent stroke. The Democrats would run Giffords for Senate even if she was in as bad a shape as Christopher Pike...

As long as they can say "yea" or "nay", to the Dems they are ready to serve.